State to allow masks for prison officers, quarantined inmates

ALBANY — Facing mounting pressure, state prison officials on Wednesday said they will allow corrections officers, parole officers and prison workers to wear masks on duty to protect themselves from the threat of the global coronavirus pandemic. Officer's must supply their own masks.

And to reduce the risk of secondary transmission of COVID-19, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision also will allow inmates subject to quarantine to wear surgical-type masks, prison officials said.